Supreme Court Restrains EC From Accepting NHIS Cards As IDs For Voter Registration

The Supreme Court has restrained the Electoral Commission from accepting NHIS cards as a means of identification for purposes of voter registration. 

National Youth Organiser of the PNC, Abu Ramadan and one other challenged the appropriateness of the NHIS cards in the registration of voters. 

A six member Supreme Court Panel presided over by the Chief Justice Mrs Georgina Theodora Wood unanimously upheld the case brought by the plaintiffs. 

The ruling means the EC can go ahead with its planned limited voter registration exercise but prospective applicants must provide other cards such as the National Identification Authority, Passport and Driver’s License to prove their identities. 

The court however did not give any reasons for its ruling but Mrs Wood stated that it will be filed on the 17th of October. 

Lawyer for the plaintiffs Nana Asante Bediatuo said the NHIS card do not indicate the nationality of its bearer therefore making it void for the exercise. 

Meanwhile, the National Organiser of the PNC, Abu Ramadan has hinted of another action against the Electoral Commission. 

This follows the ruling on Wednesday by the Supreme Court upholding all the reliefs he sought against the EC regarding the use of NHIS cards in the registration of voters. 

Mr Ramadan says he is happy at the ruling, describing it as a victory for democracy. 

GBC